Overedge sewing machine



March 15, 1955 N. WALLENBERG ET AL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17,- 1950 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTORS.

NED L.WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

March 15, 1955 N. L. WALLENBERG ETAL 2,

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17. 1950 10 sheets-sheet 2 i a O INVENTORS.

NED L. WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD Q EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY March 15, 1955 N, WALLENBERG ETAL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 17. 1950 \m. w. D I l l l I l l I l l I l I l l I I I I E I I I l I l 1 I I I I l l I I ll I N 3 n a mm 11H I 5/ 2. n mm H mm mm oo. 1 H U mm ow 1 .5 o m N: 5 E 9 mg g m m E @9 V O h 05 E on N9 09 JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

March 15, 1955 N, L. WALLENBERG ET AL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1950 10 She ets$heet 5 INVENTORS. NED L. WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR-SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

March 15, 1955 N. WALLENBERG ETAL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 17. 1950 FIG. I0

l l l l F'IG. ll

FIG.I2 I58 M A Y ONO E TEWU N N R ELTH o VAAC T NW .5 lu I GM N NwE March 15, 1955 N. L. WALLENBERG ET AL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 17. 1950 m 'ENTORS. NED L.WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

March 15, 1955 N. L. WALLENBERG ETAL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 17. 1950 Fm m V G mm:

Q2 ES mi $9 o w p mm m0. m on. 5 M. mm E me E INVENTORS. NED LWALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

N. 1.. WALLENBERG ET AL 2,704,042

March 15, 1955 OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17. 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS. NED L. WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ BY ATTORNEY. 7/

March 15, 1955 N, WALLENBERG ETAL 2,704,042

OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Filed NOV. 17, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Illlllllllllllllll NED L.WALLENBERG JOHN G. ATTWOOD EDGAR SCHOIJ ATTORNEY.

United States Patent OVEREDGE SEWING MACHINE Ned L. Wailenberg, Chicago, John G. Attwood, Oak Park, and Edgar Schoij, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application November 17, 1950, Serial No. 196,104

20 Claims. (Cl. 112-162) This invention relates to sewing machines and more particularly machines of the industrial type used in the production of either two or three thread overedge stitches along the free edges of a plurality of superimposed pieces of work or along the free edge of a single piece of work. The machines contemplated by the invention are adapted for the stitching of either flat work or tubular work or both types.

A primary object of the invention has been to provide a machine of the foregoing character which is of simple, compact, sturdy and durable construction and one which is capable of operation at high speeds, e. g. 5,000 or 6,000 stitches per minute in the formation of an overedge seam, without objectionable noise or vibration.

Another object has been to provide a machine of the character indicated which has a minimum of operating parts and simple, readily controlled movements of the several stitch forming elements.

The overedger, constructed in accordance with the invention, is equipped with a reciprocatory needle, an under looper and an overedge looper coordinated in their operations to form either a two thread or a three thread stitch. It is also preferably provided with a trimmer adapted to trim off the free edge of the work to a predetermined line just in advance of the point of formation of the overedge stitches. The under looper has a simple reciprocatory movement along a straight line, while the overedge looper has a combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement which imparts to the active end of the looper a spiral or helical path. When an overedge thread carrying looper is employed a three thread stitch is produced, but when the overedge element is in the form of a spreader a two thread overedge stitch is formed.

An important feature of the invention is the particular disposition of the under looper. This is arranged for reciprocation along a line inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. The thread carrying portion of the under looper is shifted by such movement from a position some distance below the work support at one side of the line of stitch formation to a point at or near the plane of the work support at the inner side of the line of stitch formation, i. e. to the right of this line as viewed in the direction of feed of the work.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of simple but effective means for imparting the four motion movements described above to the overedge looper or spreader. A single operating connection from the main shaft is provided for imparting'both bodily reciprocatory movements to the overedge element, preferably along a straight horizontal path transverse to the line of feed, and for imparting oscillatory movements to the same. The overedge element is carried by a reciprocating rod driven by suitable connections, preferably including an eccentric on the main shaft of the machine, and as it is reciprocated it is automatically rotated, without additional operating means, to impart the oscillatory movements. Simple but durable and reliable connections, adapted for high speed operation, are employed for imparting the movements described; these connections also constitute an important part of the present invention.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an oscillatory arm mounted on a rock shaft which oscillates about an axis substantially in the plane of the work support, said arm carrying a curved needle which is reciprocated in a vertical plane parallel with the direction of feed of the work for cooperation with the loopers de- "Ice scribed above in the formation of overedge stitches. The improved features of the looper mechanism, however,

are adapted for use in connection with a straight, 1ongitudinally reciprocatory needle as well.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of simple means for guiding and controlling the thread supplied to each of the stitch forming elements. These devices are of such character that the several threads are yielded and taken up in accordance with the requirements of the stitch forming devices so as to insure the correct formation of the desired seam. Accurate control over the slack or tension in each of the threads is provided at all times as required. Moreover, the path of the needle thread is such that it is passed to the eye of the needle along a substantially vertical line as the needle enters the work.

It will be understood that suitable work feeding devices are provided in conjunction with the stitch forming and trimming mechanisms above mentioned and the means for this purpose is not only of simple construction, but is adapted for high speed operation and is capable of providing stitches of uniform length. Readily adjustable means are provided for varying the stitch length as desired.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of an illustrative machine embodying the same. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the frame of the machine, as viewed from the right in Fig. 1, the driving pulley being shown applied to the main shaft;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the machine with the cloth plate or work supporting member indicated merely in broken lines;

Fig. 4 is a view largely in front elevation but with the work support shown in section and a portion of the frame being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine, taken along the axis of the main drive shaft;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the mechanism in the region of stitch formation;

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the needle and its supporting and operating means together with a portion of the trimmer mechanism and certain thread control devices;

Fig. 8 is a detail view, in vertical section, showing a modified form of thread take-up for the under looper;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the thread take-up means shown in Fig. 8, as viewed from the left of that Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the machine, as seen from the left in Fig. 1, a portion of the work support being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a throat plate embodied in the machine;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the throat plate;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view through the machine, taken along the line 13-13 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view through the machine, taken along the line 1414 of Fig. 5, a cover member for the feed operating means being omitted;

Fig. 15 is a detail view in plan of the overedge looper and its carrying rod and supporting means;

Fig. 16 is an axial sectional view through the parts shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a face view of a washer element forming part of the driving connections for the overedge looper;

Fig. 18 is an edge view of said washer element;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view along the line 1919 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 20 is a detail view, in elevation, of the parts shown in Fig. 15 mounted in a portion of the frame, a part of the driving means therefor being also shown;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view along the line 21-21 of Fig. 5 and shows the needle shaft operating means;

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view along the line 22-22 of Fig. 3 and shows the trimmer operating mechanism;

Fig. 23 is a detail view showing a spreader which may be used in place of the looper of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view, in elevation, of the left end of the machine, a portion of the work support being broken away.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine is carried and largely enclosed by a frame 10 which is of relatively low construction and provided with a flat bottom and a curved sloping top, as best shown in Fig. 5. This frame provides an enclosed chamber or housing portion 11 having a flat removable bottom plate 12 secured to the frame by screws or the like. A suitable gasket is provided between the bottom plate and the walls of the frame. Chamber 11 is arranged to retain lubricant to a suitable level for the purpose of providing automatic lubrication of the major wear receiving parts of the mechanism. A removable cover 13 secured to the top of the frame over the chamber 11 serves to provide ac cess to the operating parts whenever desired; this cover, as shown, merges in smooth sweeping lines with the general contour of the frame itself. An extension of the frame 10 toward the right (Fig. provides a further chamber 15 which is open at its bottom and is out of communication with the lubricant retaining chamber 11. This open chamber which, as will be explained, provides for the cooling of the mechanism, is formed between a wall 16 at the right end of the enclosed chamber 11 and a wall 17 at the right end of the frame as a whole. A vertical wall 18 at the left end of the enclosed chamber has an extension 19 at its lower end which partially encloses certain of the stitch forming and work feeding devices which must be provided exterior of the enclosed chamber 11. Further partial enclosure of the chamber above extension 19 is provided by a cloth plate 20 having downwardly extending apron portions which normally conceal the stitch forming and work feeding devices. The cloth plate 20 is pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a pivot pin 21 (Fig. 3) about which the cloth-plate may be swung outwardly to expose the parts above extension 19. Other parts, to be described hereinafter, serve to enclose further the stitch forming and work feeding devices. As will appear from the further description, the operating means for all of the stitch forming devices are disposed to the right of the line of seam formation. This not only provides convenient access to these parts but also permits enclosure of the operating means within the chamber 11 so that they may be effectively lubricated at all times.

A main drive shaft 22 for the operating parts of the machine extends longitudinally of the frame, substantially along a line about midway between the front and rear walls and midway between the planes of the bottom plate 12 and the cloth plate 20. This shaft is journaled in a ball-bearing 23 mounted in a housing 24 extending through an opening in the wall 17 of the frame and secured to the latter by screws 25. The outer side of the ball-bearing unit is enclosed by a cap member 26 fitting snugly within the housing 24 and secured to the latter either by screws or by a press fit therewith. Shaft 22 extends outwardly of the frame through the bearing unit described and has secured at its outer end a combined handwheel and pulley 27 held on the shaft by a screw 28. At an intermediate point the shaft 22 is supported by a bearing 29 carried by the wall 16 of the frame. Between the walls 16 and 18 of the frame, the shaft is also journaled in a bearing 30 carried by a partition 30a extending from the front to the rear walls of the chamber 11. Bearing 30 is split horizontally to facilitate assembly, and is held in assembled relation by a collar 30b. A screw threaded stud 30c serves to hold the bearing against rotation in the partition 30a. Adjacent its left end (Fig. 5) the shaft is supported by a pair of bearing sleeves 31 and 31a suitably mounted in the wall 18 of the frame. As shown, the bearing sleeve 31a is preferably mounted in a retainer 32 having a press fit in an enlarged recess in outer face of the wall 18. Se cured to the shaft 22, within the open chamber 15, is a fan 33 of suitable construction which serves to create a rapid movement of air within the chamber and directs a stream of air against vertically extending heat dissipating ribs or vanes 34 projecting from the wall 16, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Air is drawn by the fan through arcuate openings 33a (Fig. 2) provided in the wall 17 around the pulley 27. As previously indicated, a body of lubricant is maintained within the enclosed chamber 11 and suitable means are provided for GiSlI bD E hi lubricant to the various wear receiving surfaces, both within the enclosed chamber 11 and exterior thereof. The arrangement is such that excess lubricant delivered outside of the enclosed chamber is filtered and returned to the body of lubricant within the chamber for reuse. Since the details of the cooling and lubrication features, briefly described above, form no part of the invention intended to be claimed in this application, further description thereof appears to be unnecessary.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 5, 7, l4 and 24, the stitch forming devices of the illustrative machine include a curved needle 35 secured by any suitable retaining means within a socket at the outer end of an arm 36 which is, in turn, secured to a needle rock shaft 37. The latter is mounted in a suitable bearing extending through the wall 18 of the frame and is disposed horizontally substantially at the level of the work supporting surface. Arm 36 is mounted on the left end of the shaft (Fig. 5 outside of the enclosed chamber 11, while connections for rocking the shaft are provided at the opposite end of the shaft, within the enclosed chamber 11. These connections include (Figs. 3, 5 and 21) an arm 38 secured to the rock shaft and carrying a pin 39 at its outer end. This pin is connected by a pitman 40 with a crank portion 41 of the shaft 22. For simplicity of alignment of the parts a ball element 39a is freely mounted on the pin 39 and is received by a strap at the upper end of the pitman 40. It will be apparent that, through the connections described, the arm 38 and shaft 37 will be rocked through a suitable are upon each revolution of the shaft 22 to carry the needle from a position above the work support, as shown in Fig. 24, to a position in which its thread carrying eye is below the work support, as indicated in Fig. 7, and then back to its initial position.

Cooperating with the needle, when it is in the position of Fig. 7, is an under looper 42 (Fig. 5) carried by a reciprocatory looper rod 43 mounted in an inclined bearing sleeve 44 extending through the wall 18 of the frame. Rod 43 is disposed at an acute angle, preferably between 20 and 30, to the horizontal and serves upon reciprocation to carry the thread carrying eye of the looper from a position at the left of the path of the needle and some distance below the work support to a point at the right of the path of the needle and substantially in the plane of the work support. In such movement the looper is adapted to pass its thread through the loop of needle thread which is, at this time, presented below the work support, as indicated in Fig. 7. For reciprocating the looper rod 43 there is mounted on its upper right end a block 45 (Figs. 3 and 5), this being secured to the rod by a screw 46. The block has a pair of parallel spaced ears 47, extending upwardly and toward the right, which are provided with aligned openings adapted for pivotal connection with a pin 48 secured to a link 49. The latter has a tongue fitting between the spaced cars 47 and is provided with a screw 48a for retaining the pivot pin 48 in fixed relation thereto. The other end of link 49 is forked to provide ears having aligned openings adapted for pivotal connection with a pin 50, which is secured by a screw 51 to the upper end of an arm 52. The latter, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 13, is formed integrally with a sleeve 53 rockably mounted on a shaft 530 extending transversely of the frame and mounted in suitable bosses projecting inwardly from the front and rear walls thereof. A collar 53b secured to the shaft 53a serves to prevent axial shifting of the sleeve 53 along the shaft. At a point along the sleeve 53 directly over the main shaft 22, another integral arm 54 is provided. This extends substantially horizontally toward the right (Fig. 5) and carries at its outer end a ball pin 55 received by a strap 56 at the upper end of a pitman 57. A strap 58 at the lower end of this pitman cooperates with a spherical crank portion 59 of the main shaft 22. It will be clear that through the connections described, rotation of the shaft 22 will cause the sleeve 53 to be oscillated and the rod 43 to be reciprocated within the bearing sleeve 44 to impart the described movements to the under looper 42.

An overedge looper 60 (Figs. 5 and 15 to 20 inclusive) is arranged to cooperate with the under looper when it is in the position indicated in Fig. 5. It is adapted to pass its thread through the loop of the under looper thread and then carry the loop ofits own thread upwardly and over the edge of the work into the path of the curved needle while the latter is in its uppermost position. Upon s the subsequent oscillation of the needle its thread will be carried through the looper of the overedge looper thread. To impart the desired movements to the overedge looper it is provided with a shank 6011 (Fig. 20) arranged to pass diametrically through a cylindrical carrier 61. The looper element is secured to the carrier by a set screw 62 and the carrier, in turn, is provided with a reduced shank portion 61a (Fig. 16) which is inserted within the hollow bore of a reciprocatory and oscillatory looper rod 63. A collar 64 mounted on the rod 63 is provided with one or more screw threaded openings adapted to receive screws 65 for retaining the collar on the rod and for retaining the carrier 61 in set position in relation to the rod.

When it is desired to form a two thread overedge stitch the overedge looper 60 may be replaced by a spreader 66 (Fig. 23). The latter has a shank portion 66a adapted to be inserted in the diametrical opening through the carrier stud 61 and it may be clamped by the screw 62 in the same manner as the looper. When the spreader is thus substituted for the looper, it will serve to pick up the loop of the under looper thread and carry this upwardly and over the edge of the work into the path of the needle so that the under looper thread will be engaged with the needle thread as the latter is carried downwardly and through the work. The timing of the operation of the spreader will be the same for the overedge looper.

The rod 63, which carries either the looper 60 or the spreader 66, is supported'for both longitudinal reciprocatory movements and rocking or oscillatory movements by a bearing sleeve 67. The latter has a reduced portion 68 inserted in an opening in the wall 18 of the frame and is held against both axial and rotational movement by the engagement of a set screw 70 (Fig. 20) with a fiat surface 69 formed on the upper surface of the sleeve. The enlarged portion of the sleeve 67, which extends into the enclosed chamber 11, is provided with a helical or spiral passage 71 which extends completely through the wall of the sleeve. The walls of the passage 71 are preferably inclined, as best shown in Fig. 19, to provide a smaller opening at the inner surface than at the outer surface of the sleeve. Within the helical passage provided by the opening 71 there is mounted a block 72 whichis secured to the rod 63. To facilitate assembly of the parts, the block 72 is formed as a separate element and it is secured to the rod in a manner to prevent movement of any character relative thereto by means of a shank 73 which is inserted in a hole extending diametrically through the rod. A screw 74 serves to clamp the stem 73 within the rod. By the provision of flat faces on both the stem and the inner end of the screw, turning of the block 72 relative to the rod is prevented. Screw 74, as will be seen from Fig. 16, is accessible for tightening or loosening the same through the large bore in the rod into which the shank 61a of stud 61 is inserted.

At a suitable distance from the inner end of the sleeve 67, the rod 63 is provided with a radially extending flange 75 and beyond this the rod is reduced somewhat further, as indicated at 76. At the inner end of the rod there is secured, by set screws or the like, a collar 77. Two washer elements 78, shown in detail in Figs. 17 and l8, are mounted on the reduced portion 76 of the rod prior to the application of the collar 77. These washer elements are disposed in reversed relation, as best shown in Fig. 20. Each is provided with an opening 79 which has a relatively snug fit with the portion 76 of the rod in a horizontal direction, but is elongated to permit slight vertical movement of the "washer element in relation to the rod. Each washer element is also provided with a pair of partial, concave cylindrical surfaces 80 at opposite sides of the opening 79, these being arranged to cooperate with convex cylindrical surfaces formed on forked extensions 81 of an arm 82. The forked extensions 81 straddle the portion 76 of the rod and by virtue of the cylindrical form of the parts described are adapt ed to turn slightly in relation to the washers 78 in the course of operation of the machine. Arm 82 is preferably formed as an integral downward extension from a sleeve 82a rockably mounted on a shaft 83 which is supported by hearing lugs 84 (Figs. 3 and formed on the frame. Rotation and axial movement of the shaft relative to the bearing lugs is prevented by set screws 85. A collar 86 secured to the shaft adjacent one end of the sleeve 82a prevents axial movement of the latter along the shaft. Sleeve 82a is provided with a laterally extending projection 87 (Figs. 3, 5 and 20) adapted to receive and retain the inner end of a ball pin 88. A screw 89 serves to retain the ball pin within the socket provided in projection 87. A strap 90 at the upper end of a pitman 91 cooperates with the ball portion of the pin 88 while a similar strap 92 at the lower end of the pitman cooperates with a spherical crank portion 93 of the main shaft 22. A downwardly extending finger 94 carried by the strap 92 serves to dip into the lubricant within the chamber 11 and thereby generate a lubricant mist in the course of operation of the machine.

The foregoing connections are such that upon rotation of the main shaft 22, the sleeve 82a will be oscillated about the shaft 83 and the arm 82 will be swung back and forth through a suitable arc to reciprocate the rod 63. In the course of such reciprocation the washers 78 will be shifted up and down slightly in a vertical direction, as permitted by the openings 79, due to the arcuate path of movement of the forked extension 81 of the arm 82. Simultaneously with the reciprocatory movements of the rod 63 there will be imparted oscillatory move ments to the latter by the cooperation of the block 72 with the walls of the helical opening 71. This results in a desired path of movement of the looper or spreader from a position in which it cooperates with the under looper to a position in which it cooperates with the needle in the formation of overedge stitches.

The devices for trimming the edge of the work in advance of the stitching operation and for advancing the work in relation to the stitch forming devices and the trimming mechanism may be of substantially the same construction as the corresponding devices disclosed in the pending application of Albert C. Peterson, Ned L. Wallenberg, and Clarence C. Smith, Serial No. 122,204, filed October 9, 1949, now Patent No. 2,636,462, dated April 28, 1953. These devices will be but briefly described here. Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 10, and 22, the trimming mechanism comprises a stationary trimming blade 95 retained in a well known manner by a bolt 96 in an adjustable block 97. The latter is carried by a pedestal 98 secured in any suitable way to the portion 19 of the frame. Cooperating with the stationary blade is a movable blade 99 secured by a screw 100 to the forward end of a block 101 forming a part of a trimmer operating arm 102 carried by a rock shaft 103. This rock shaft, as shown in Fig. 3, is journaled in a bearing sleeve 104 extending through the wall 18 of the machine frame. It is also journaled in a lug 105 extending inwardly from the rear wall of the frame. At its inner end, the shaft 103 has secured thereto a hub portion 106 of an arm 107 (Fig. 22). The hub portion 106 may either be of split construction and clamped by a suitable screw 108 or the latter may simply cooperate with a screw threaded opening in the hub portion and have a smooth shank portion engaged with a recess or groove in the surface of the shaft 103. At its lower end the arm 107 carries a laterally projecting pin 109 on which is freely mounted a ball element 110 cooperating with a strap 111 of a pitman 112. The opposite end of this pitman has a strap 113 cooperating with a cylindrical crank portion 114 of the main shaft 22. It will be apparent that, through the connections described, the shaft 103 and trimmer arm 102 will be oscillated upon each revolution of the main shaft and as a result the work being fed through the machine will be sheared, bit by bit, as it is carried between the stationary and movable trimmer blades 95 and 99.

For advancing the work in relation to the switch forming and trimming mechanisms, the machine is preferably provided with a main feed dog 115 and a differential feed dog 116 (Figs. 10 and 14) which act concurrently upon the work but may be adapted to impart differential feed movements to the work. As shown, the diflerential feed dog 116 is provided with a relatively large opening to permit the passage of a portion of the under looper without interference of the parts. The main feed dog 115 is secured by a screw or the like to the forward end of a feed bar 117 which is forked at its rear end for slidable engagement with a block 118 rockably mounted upon a stud or rod 119. At its forward end the feed bar 117 has a downwardly extending portion 120 which provides a rectangular slot or opening adapted to cooperate with a square block 121 mounted on an eccentric portion 122 (Fig. 5) of the main shaft 22. This eccentric serves to impart rise and fall movements to the feed dog 115 to carry it into and out of engagement with the work. The differential feed dog 116 is similarly attached by a screw to a feed bar 123 adjacent the feed bar 117 and mounted for rocking and sliding movement on the blocks 118 and 121 in the same manner as the feed bar 117. Feed and return movements are imparted to the feed bars 117 and 123 by means of a pair of eccentrics 124 and 125 which are preferably detachably mounted upon the outer end of the main shaft 22. By virtue of such detachable mounting, eccentrics having different throws may be applied to the shaft to impart any desired feed stroke to each of the feed bars. Eccentric 124 cooperates with a pitman 126 which is connected by a bolt 127 with the feed bar 117. Similarly eccentric 125 cooperates with a pitman 128 which is connected by a bolt 129 with the feed bar 123. It will be understood that suitable openings are provided in the intervening parts to permit the indicated connections without interference with the desired movements of the several parts. The eccentrics 124 and 125 serve to impart the feed stroke movements to the feed bars 117 and 123 by sliding these in relation to the blocks 118 and 121.

For the purpose of enclosing the work feeding devices as fully as practicable, a cover member 130 is provided (Figs. 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10). This is pivotally supported by a pin 131 mounted in projections 132 of the frame, the cover being secured to the pivot pin by a screw 133. Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the cover 130 in its active position and for permitting the cover to be swung outwardly to inactive position to give access to the work feeding devices. A screw 133a may, for example, be provided for this purpose, the screw passing through one of the bearing lugs for the pivot pin and engaging the latter when desired to prevent it from turning. As shown in Fig. 6, the cover 130 is preferably provided with an opening 134 to accommodate an extension on the main shaft 22, whenever desired, for the operation of certain thread controlling devices to be hereinafter described.

Cooperating with the feed dogs to assist in the proper advance of the work is a presser foot 135 (Figs. 3, 4 and 10), this being pivotally connected at 136 with the forward end of a presser bar 137. The latter is forked at its rear end to straddle a horizontally disposed stud 138 upon which the presser bar is adapted to pivot about a vertical pin 139. The latter may have screw threaded engagement with either the stud 138 or the presser bar 137, but is free to turn relative to the other of these members. Stud 138 is formed as an integral extension of a rock shaft 140 (Fig. 3) mounted in suitable bearing sleeves 141 and 142 carried by rearward extensions of the machine frame. intermediate the bearings there is secured to the shaft 140 a pair of collars 143 which serve to prevent axial movement of the shaft. Adjacent the stud 138 there is secured to the shaft 140 a collar 144 which may suitably be of split construction and secured to the shaft by a screw 145 (Fig. 10). A lever 146 freely mounted for pivotal movement about the shaft 140 is normally urged by a spring 147 into a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 3, l and 24. Its outer end, however, may be depressed by hand or by a suitable chain connection or the like with a foot treadle or knee press. When so depressed, a forward extension 148 of the lever cooperates with the lower end of an adjustable screw 149 carried by the collar 144 to rock the latter and hence the shaft 140 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. It will be understood that a slight clearance is normally provided between the lower end of the screw 149 and the extension 148, when the spring 147 holds the lever in inactive position, so that the shaft 140 and stud 138 may be rocked freely as different thicknesses of work pass beneath the presser foot.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 10, the means for applying a yielding spring pressure to the presser bar 137 comprises a rod 150 having a forked member 151 at its lower end adapted to straddle the presser bar 137. A spring 152 surrounding the rod 150 and acting at its upper end against the screw threaded sleeve 153 and at its lower end against the member 151 provides the desired spring pressure. Sleeve 153 is adjustably carried by an outer sleeve 154 mounted in a recess formed in an outwardly projecting head 155 of the main frame. By turning the sleeve 153 relative to sleeve 154 the force of spring 152 may be varied, as desired. This construction is substantially the same as the presser bar tensioning means disclosed in the Peterson, et al. application hereinabove mentioned. As disclosed in said application, the arrangement is such that the sleeve 154 may be readily turned by grasping the enlarged knurled head at its upper end to bring a vertical portion of a T-slot in the wall of the sleeve in line with a fixed pin carried by the frame. When this is done the compressive force of the spring 142 is released so that the fork member 151 may be readily disengaged from the presser bar 137. At this time the latter may be swung outwardly about the pivot pin 139 to provide access to the needle and overedge looper for threading purposes and the like. When it is desired to reapply spring pressure to the presser bar, it is simply necessary to force the sleeve 154 downwardly in its retaining recess and rotate the same slightly to bring one of the arms of the T-slot into engagement with the fixed pin. A screw threaded element 156 mounted on the upper end of the rod serves to limit the downward movement of the rod when the forked member 151 is disengaged from the presser bar 137 as explained.

Within the bed plate of the machine there is mounted a suitable throat plate in the region of the feed dogs and presser foot. This throat plate is mounted on the pedestal 98 and secured thereto by one or more screws. Top and bottom views of a throat plate 157 which may be provided are shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings. The throat plate has appropriate openings therethrough for the passage of the feed dogs and the needle and it is so formed as to facilitate the movement of the overedge looper over the edge of the work. It is also shaped appropriately to avoid interference with the trimmer blade. As shown, the throat plate may also be provided with a stitch finger 158. This may, however, be omitted, if desired, and a stitch finger may be provided on the presser foot in the manner disclosed in said pending Peterson, et al. application.

Any suitable thread guiding and controlling means may be provided for the several threads entering into the overedge stitch. In the illustrative machine improved devices are employed for this purpose; these include a bracket 159 secured to the top of the machine at the rear of the frame and extending upwardly therefrom. On this bracket there are mounted three thread tensioning devices 160, 161 and 162. The thread for the several stitch forming devices will be supplied from bobbins (not shown) supported in any suitable way adjacent the machine. The needle thread 164 is delivered from its bobbin to an eyelet 165 (Fig. 24) adjacent the tensioning discs of the thread tensioning device 160, which may be of conventional construction. It is led from the discs through an eyelet 165a and thence to an upper eyelet in a bracket 166 secured to the top of the frame of the machine. The thread is then led downwardly and through another eyelet in an. outwardly bent arm of the bracket 166 and thence through an eyelet in a takeup member 167 carried by the trimmer bar 102. It has been found that such a takeup eyelet provides all of the required takeup action for the needle thread and at the proper time pulls the required amount of thread from the tensioning device. From the eyelet in member 167 the needle thread is passed through a series of openings in a bracket 168 secured to the frame of the machine, as shown in Figs. 6 and 24 and from the last eyelet in this bracket the thread is led directly to the eye of the needle 35. As shown in Fig. 24, the path of the thread from the bracket 168 to the needle is substantially a straight vertical line when the needle is entering the work. This has been found to be a highly desirable condition.

The overedge looper thread 169 (Figs. 6 and 24) is delivered from its tensioning device 161 through an eyelet 170 and thence to an eyelet in a bracket 171 adjustably secured to the machine frame. From this point the thread is led through an eyelet in another bracket 172 adjustably connected with the machine frame and thence through an eyelet in a lateral extension 173 of the member 167 carried by the trimmer arm 102. From this point the thread may be led directly to a passage 174 (Fig. 6) in the heel of the overedge looper (Fig. 24) or it may first be passed through an eyelet 175 carried by the collar 64 on the looper rod 63 (Fig. 6). The under looper thread 176 is led from its tensioning device 162 through an eyelet 177 and thence downwardly along the rear of the machine frame through any suitable guides to an eyelet provided in a bracket 178 adjustably secured to the machine frame as shown inFig. 24. From this point the thread is led to and through an eyeletin a bracket 179 positioned slightly in front of and below the main shaft of the machine. Bracket 179 (as shown in Fig. 6, is preferably U-shaped and the thread is passed from an eyelet in one branch of the U to an aligned eyelet in the opposite branch. From the latter eyelet the thread is led directly to a passage in the heel of the under looper. To provide an appropriate takeup action on the under looper thread, a cam shaped disc 180 of appropriate configuration to give the required takeup and slack providing actions at all times, is mounted on an extension 181 of the main shaft 22. This extension, as shown in Fig. 6, is screw threaded and cooperates with screw threads on the end of the main shaft. The approximate configuration of the disc is indicated in Fig. 24. It will be apparent that due to the variable radial extent of the disc it will act upon the thread in a predetermined variable manner in its passage between the eyelets of bracket 179. Disc 180 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 24) for this purpose.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a modified form of takeup for the under looper thread is shown. This arrangement, while slightly more complicated than that above described, insures a more uniform action of the takeup. It comprises a U-shaped bracket 182 similar to the bracket 179 adjustably secured to the frame of the machine. Intermediate the branches of the U, however, there is provided a cam shaped takeup member 183 having a deep peripheral groove or slot, as best shown in Fig. 8. The shape of the disc is substantially the same as that of the disc 180. However, the deep peripheral groove permits the introduction of a stripping finger 184 between the two outer sections of the disc, thus guarding against the possible carrying of the looper thread above the line of the lower edge of the finger 184. The arrangement is such that the maximum takeup action is provided when the thread reaches this position. The course of the thread from the inner eyelet of bracket 182 is the same as from the bracket 179 as described above.

The operation of the machine as a whole is believed to be clear from the foregoing detailed description thereof and the summaries given with respect to the mode of operation of the several features. It may be mentioned, however, that the machine constructed in accordance with the foregoing is admirably suited not only for the overedge seaming of flat work but also of tubular work, as in the overseaming of the circular edges at the ends of tubular articles. When this type of work is to be performed the work support member 20 is swung outwardly to its inactive position. The arrangement of all of the operating means for the several stitch forming devices at the right of the line of stitch formation facilitates such tubular seaming operations.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in considerable detail and various modifications have been suggested above, it will be understood that other changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In an overedge sewing machine having a horizontally disposed work supporting surface, a plurality of stitch forming devices including a reciprocatory needle, a reciprocatory under looper and an overedge loop carrying element having a combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod carrying said under looper and mounted for rectilinear reciprocation along a straight line inclined downwardly from a point above said work supporting surface at an acute angle toward the plane of said work supporting surface, said under looper being carried by said rod from a position substantially in the path of said needle below said work supporting surface along a line crossing the path of said overedge loop carrying element, a horizontally disposed main drive shaft, and connections from said shaft for reciprocating said needle and said rod and for reciprocating and oscillating said overedge element in coordinate relation toform an overedge stitch.

2. In an overedge sewing machine having a horizontally disposed work support, a main operating shaft and work feeding means including a four motion feed dog, the combination of a needle reciprocable in a vertical plane parallel with the line of feed, and under looper, supporting means for said under looper reciprocable along a straight line transverse to said plane and inclined downwardly from a point above said work support at an acute angle to the horizontal toward said work support, said under looper being carried by said supporting means to and from a position substantially in the path of said needle below said work support, an overedge loop carrying element having an active end movable back and forth along a path extending partly in the direction of feed and partly transverse thereto between points substantially in the paths of movement of said needle and under looper, respectively, and connections from said shaft for imparting said movements to said needle, under looper and overedge element.

3. In an overedge sewing machine having a main drive shaft and a horizontally disposed work supporting surface parallel with the axis of said shaft, a plurality of stitch forming devices comprising a needle reciprocable in a substantially vertical plane, a thread carrying under looper reciprocable along a line inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal and arranged to cooperate with said needle below the work support, and an overedge element reciprocable along an axis extending in a direction parallel with said shaft and oscillatable about said axis, said element being arranged to cooperate successively with said needle and under looper in the formation of overedge stitches, supporting means for each of said needle, under looper and element, and connections from said shaft to said supporting means for imparting said movements to said needle, under looper and element in coordinated relation to produce overedge stitches.

4. In an overedge sewing machine having a main drive shaft and a horizontally disposed work supporting surface parallel with the axis of said shaft, a plurality of stitch forming devices comprising a needle reciprocable in a substantially vertical plane transverse to the axis of said shaft, an under looper, supporting means for said under looper reciprocable along a line inclined downwardly from a point above said work supporting surface at an acute angle to the horizontal toward said work supporting surface in a vertical plane parallel with the axis of said shaft, said under looper being carried by said supporting means to and from a position substantially in the path of said needle below the work support, an overedge element, and a carrier for said overedge element reciprocable along an axis extending in a direction parallel with said shaft and oscillatable about said axis, said element being carried by said carrier along a path which substantially intersects those of said needle and under looper, and connections from said shaft to said needle, under looper and element for operating the same in coordinated relation to produce overedge stitches.

5. In a sewing machine, stitch forming devices adapted to form an overedge stitch comprising a needle reciprocable in a vertical plane, an under looper reciprocable along a line disposed downwardly at an acute angle toward said plane to and from a position adjacent the path of said needle, and an overedge element having a combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement along and about an axis perpendicular to said plane, supporting means for each of said needle, under looper and overedge element, and operating means for driving said supporting means to impart the aforementioned movements to the respective stitch forming devices in coordinated relation.

6. In a sewing machine, stitch forming devices adapted to form an overedge stitch comprising a needle reciprocable in a vertical plane, an under looper reciprocable along a line disposed downwardly at an acute angle toward said plane to and from a position adjacent the path of said needle, and an overedge element having a combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement along and about an axis perpendicular to said plane to present said element successively at a position adjacent the path of said needle and a position adjacent the path of said under looper, said line and said axis being disposed in parallel vertical planes, supporting means for each of said needle, under looper and overedge element, and operating means for driving said supporting means to impart the aforementioned movements to the respective stitch forming devices in coordinated relation.

7. In a sewing machine having a horizontally disposed work support, stitch forming devices comprising a curved needle, means including a rock shaft for reciprocating said needle along an arcuate path, an under looper, a rectilinearly reciprocable rod carrying said looper to and from a position adjacent the path of said needle, said rod being disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and to the vertical, an overedge element, and a rod carrying said element arranged for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis to present said element successively at a position adjacent the path of said needle and a position adjacent the path of said under looper, said rock shaft and said rods being disposed in parallel vertical planes, and operating means for driving said needle and said rods to impart the aforementioned movements to the respective stitch forming devices in coordinated relation, the arrangement being such that said looper and overedge element cooperate with said needle below and above the work support, respectively, and cooperate with each other substantially in the plane of said support in the formation of stitches.

8. In a sewing machine having work supporting and feeding means, stitch forming devices adapted to form an overedge stitch, said devices comprising a reciprocable needle, a reciprocable looper cooperating with said needle at one side of the work and an overedge element having a combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement to carry the same back and forth between a point at which it cooperates with said looper and a point at which it cooperates with said needle in the formation of an overedge stitch, a rod carrying said element, a sleeve supporting said rod for reciprocation, means engaging said rod to reciprocate the same in said sleeve, and coacting means on said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter as it is reciprocated.

9. In a sewing machine, stitch forming devices comprising a curved needle, means including a rock shaft for reciprocating said needle along an arcuate path, an under looper, a rectilinearly reciprocable rod carrying said looper, said rod being disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal and to the vertical, an overedge element, a second rod carrying said element arranged for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, a sleeve supporting said second rod for reciprocation, means engaging said rod to reciprocate the same in said sleeve, and coacting means on said sleeve and second rod for oscillating the latter as it is reciprocated.

10. In a sewing machine, stitch forming devices comprising a curved needle, means including a rock shaft for reciprocating said needle along an arcuate path, an under looper, a rectilinearly reciprocable rod carrying said looper, an overedge element, a second rod carrying said element arranged for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, a sleeve supporting said second rod for reciprocation, means engaging said rod to reciprocate the same in said sleeve, and coacting means on said sleeve and second rod for oscillating the latter as it is reciprocated.

11. In a sewing machine stitch forming devices adapted to form an overedge stitch, said devices comprising a needle reciprocable in a substantially vertical plane, a looper, a rod carrying said looper and arranged for longitudinal reciprocation along a line disposed at an acute angle to said plane, an overedge element, a second rod carrying said element and arranged for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, a sleeve supporting said second rod for reciprocation and oscillaticn, means engaging said rod to reciprocate the same in said sleeve, and coacting means on said sleeve and second rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

12. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means engaging said rod for reciprocating said rod in said sleeve, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

13. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising a pair of spaced radially extending means on said rod in fixed axial relation thereto and an oscillatable arm having means thereon interposed between said spaced means and arranged to urge said rod in opposite directions in response to oscillations of said arm, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

14. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising a pair of spaced radially extending means on said rod in fixed axial relation thereto and an oscillatable arm having means thereon interposed between said spaced means and arranged to urge said rod in opposite directions in response to oscillations of said arm, said spaced means and said means on said arm having cooperating curved surfaces, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

15. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising a pair of spaced radially extending means on said rod in fixed axial relation thereto and an oscillatable arm having means thereon interposed between said spaced means and arranged to urge said rod in opposite directions in response to oscillations of said arm, said spaced means and said means on said arm having complementary concave and convex surfaces, said spaced means being mounted for movement in at least one direction transverse to said rod, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

16. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising a pair of spaced radially extending means on said rod in fixed axial relation thereto and an oscillatable arm having means thereon interposed between said spaced means and arranged to urge said rod in opposite directions in response to oscillations of said arm, said spaced means and said means on said arm having complementary concave and convex cylindrical surfaces, said spaced means being mounted for movement in at least one direction transverse to said rod and for rotation relative to said rod, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to, reciprocation thereof.

17. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal re ciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising spaced radially extending shoulders on said rod, a pair of washer elements loosely mounted on said rod, one adjacent each of said shoulders, said washer elements having concave surfaces at opposite sides of said rod in opposed relation, and an oscillatable arm having convex surfaces thereon cooperating with said concave surfaces of said washer elements, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

18. In a sewing machine a stitch forming element adapted for combined reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, a rod on which said element is mounted, a fixed sleeve arranged to support said rod for longitudinal reciprocation and for oscillation about its axis, means for reciprocating said rod, said means comprising spaced radially extending shoulders on said rod, a pair of washer elements loosely mounted on said rod, one adjacent each of said shoulders, said washer elements having concave surfaces at opposite sides of said rod in opposed relation, and an oscillatable arm having convex surfaces thereon cooperating with said concave surfaces of said Washer elements, said arm having its axis of oscillation at one side of said arm, said washer elements being freely shiftable transversely of said rod in directions toward and away from said axis of oscillation, and means coacting between said sleeve and rod for oscillating the latter in response to reciprocation thereof.

19. An overedge sewing machine comprising a frame having a horizontally disposed work supporting surface, a main drive shaft extending longitudinally of said frame beneath said work supporting surface, stitch forming devices including a needle having a thread carrying eye reciprocable from a point above to a point below said surface, an under looper reciprocable rectilinearly beneath said work supporting surface along a line disposed at an acute angle to the plane of said surface, and an overedge element reciprocable in a direction parallel with said surface and oscillatable about an axis adjacent the plane of said surface, carriers for said needle, under looper and overedge element and connections from said shaft for reciprocating said needle and said under looper and for reciprocating the carriers for and oscillating said element in coordinated relation to produce overedge stitches.

20. An overedge sewing machine comprising a frame having a horizontally disposed work supporting surface, a main drive shaft extending longitudinally of said frame beneath said work supporting surface, stitch forming devices including a needle having a thread carrying eye reciprocable from a point above to a point below said surface, an under looper reciprocable rectilinearly beneath said work supporting surface along a line disposed References Cited in the file of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 659,482 Klemm Oct. 9, 1900 660,777 Klemm Oct. 30, 1900 932,272 Grieb Aug. 24, 1909 1,470,687 Clarke Oct. 16, 1923 2,218,796 Knaus et al Oct. 22, 1940 2,238,796 Knaus Apr. 15, 1941 2,297,061 Knaus Sept. 29, 1942 

